SB340 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to the State Board of Midwifery; to amend Sections 34-19-11, 34-19-12, and 34-19-16, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide further for the period during which midwives may provide care after birth; to authorize midwives to provide care in freestanding birth centers; to authorize the board to accept grants and gifts; and to require midwives to administer certain tests.

Summary

SB340 would expand and regulate midwifery in Alabama by extending the postpartum care period, allowing care in freestanding birth centers, and requiring midwives to perform newborn screening and related duties.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill extends the period during which midwives provide primary maternity care after birth to six weeks. It authorizes licensed midwives to provide care in freestanding birth centers that are not hospitals. It allows the State Board of Midwifery to accept grants and gifts. It also requires midwives to administer mandated newborn and related tests, maintain client disclosures and informed consent, plan for medical referrals and transport, file birth certificates, collect and report clinical data, and cooperate with public health reporting.

Who It Affects

• Licensed midwives in Alabama: gain authority to practice in freestanding birth centers, must follow expanded post-birth care rules, document disclosures and informed consent, provide required tests and information, file reports, and interact with the State Board of Midwifery.
• Pregnant people and newborns who choose midwifery care (including those using freestanding birth centers): will receive six weeks of postpartum care, must receive disclosures and informed consent, and will be subjected to mandated screenings, documentation, and transfer planning requirements.

Key Provisions

• Postpartum care window extended to six weeks after delivery for primary maternity care by midwives.
• Midwives may provide care in freestanding birth centers that are not hospitals (not classified as hospitals for legal purposes).
• State Board of Midwifery may accept grants and gifts under specified terms.
• Definitions updated to reflect freestanding birth centers, licensed midwives, and the scope of midwifery care.
• Board composition, appointment process, meetings, and governance rules outlined, with emphasis on diversity and oversight.
• Licensed midwives must provide disclosures about education, training, referral/transfer plans, complaint processes, HIPAA compliance, liability insurance, safety references, informed consent, and newborn screening information.
• Midwives must order and administer mandated newborn screening tests and related tests, and may order urinalysis or blood glucose tests as indicated.
• Midwives must file birth certificates, collect and submit clinical data to the Midwives Alliance of North America statistics project, and report to the Alabama Department of Public Health as required.
• Emergency care plans, progression of labor monitoring, and postpartum presence until conditions are stabilized are required.
• midwives must provide eye ointment and newborn screening information to new mothers and ensure compliance with related health department requirements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.